Thank the powers that be for Jay Farrar. Honestly. If not for him, the night could have turned into a total drag. We knew when Anders Parker started doing the live looping thing, this could either be really cool or go really wrong really fast. Unfortunately, Parker went with the latter. A lot of musicians do the live looping thing. Sometimes it works beautifully (Andrew Bird, KT Tunstall) and sounds like an entire band......

Here's to the ice melting away because there are some good shows this week. Tuesday 28th >>> Cat Power at the Showbox. Chan Marshall plays the piano and sings. Our heart breaks. That's just how it is. She's on NPR, too. *mp3: The Greatest 8pm doors; tickets $30 at the door. >>> The Lemonheads at The Crocodile. Evan Dando's spent the last few years focusing on drugs solo work, but now he's brought back......

Okay, okay, we know that this year’s Bumbershoot lineup will leave you wondering what year it is, since we wouldn’t really call most of the acts especially current or relevant, but there are some things worth checking out. Friday, M. Ward is sure to rock (if you can call someone who mainly plays acoustic rocking). He is one heck of a guitar player and, oh boy, does he do a great cover of David Bowie’s......

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Or in Bumbershoot's case, when headliners Ani DiFranco and Devo both cancel, scramble like mad and book Iggy and The Stooges and Elvis Costello in their places. Whee! At least on the former; we're a mite wary of the latter. And as a bonus, the Stooges, short a bass player, are touring this summer with none other than Mike Watt. The lineup (as it stands now--who knows who......

Think the new Bright Eyes album is hot sh*t? Then you should go see one of the godfathers of the alt-country movement play tonight and tomorrow night at the Tractor over in Ballard. Jay Farrar was the lead singer in Son Volt and Uncle Tupelo, two bands that evoked the heartland before you had ever heard of a trucker hat. There is as much pain in Jay Farrar's voice as a 'Joey' marathon on NBC,......